Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Brakes

For electric trailer brakes to work, the trailer has to be connected to a towing vehicle that has an electric brake controller. When the driver of the towing vehicle steps on the brake, it sends a signal to the controller, which in turn sends a signal to the trailer brake. After that, a magnet is energized and causes a chain reaction through the brake drum and brake shoes which slows the trailer.

Instructions

1

Remove the wheel and tire and inspect the brake shoes and springs if your brakes have been making loud or unusual noises. Check for worn-out brake shoes and missing and broken springs. Also, inspect the brakes' electromagnet for uneven wear.

2

Inspect the trailer break-away switch if the brakes won't release or seem to spontaneously release on their own. The break-away switch is the mechanism that applies the brake if the trailer get disconnected from the vehicle towing it. Sometimes the switch can become accidentally activated during trailer use.

3

Examine the brake controller settings if the brakes brake too hard under light pressure, or if they brake lightly under heavy pressure. Conduct a visual inspection of the settings to verify that the controller actually has power and activates when the brake pedal is pushed. Then check the controller's adjustment sliders or knobs to see if the settings are correct or if they have somehow been thrown off.

4

Have someone hold down the brake pedal and check the trailer connector for power. If there's no power, then the problem could be the wiring between the connector and brake controller. Check the wires for corrosion or other damage.